Contact: Public Relations
(863) 680-4118

Florida Southern College hosts
Medieval Symposium

LAKELAND, Fla. (Oct. 15, 2001) - Florida Southern College will host an all-day medieval symposium on "Women in the Middle Ages," Oct. 26 in the Hollis Room on campus. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m.

This year's symposium explores the place of women in the Middle Ages, confronts the stereotypes, and offers scholarly perspectives on these issues. Designed to introduce the audience to the breadth and depth of medieval studies, presentations by guest speakers are introductory in nature, offering overviews of the following areas of study:

"Representation and Reality for Alfredian Women," presented by Dr. Nicole Discenza, The University of South Florida

"Middle-Byzantine Images of Women: Eastern Sources, Western Influences," presented by Dr. James Rogers, Florida Southern College

"A Woman's Castle is Her Home: Domestic Space in the Medieval West," presented by Dr. Kimberly Reiter, Stetson University

"Romance Versus Fabliau: The Wife of Bath's Battle of Genres," presented by Dr. Tison Pugh, The University of Central Florida Panel presentation on "Three Influential Medieval Women:"
"Describing female desire in Marie de France and the trobairitz"
"Christine de Pizan and the Writing of the Feminine Body in The Book of the City of Ladies"
"Hildegard of Bingen: The Control of Ecstacy"
Presented by: Ms. Susan Eschrich, Ms. Frances Auld, and Mr. Raymond Vince of the University of South Florida.

Dr. Alexander Bruce, assistant professor of English, is coordinating the event. "Our goal is to get the students interested in medieval studies. The symposium gives students a chance to see that people really do study the medieval period, that there is much about it that is still relevant and important today," Bruce said.

The symposium is free and open to students and faculty from central Florida schools, colleges, and universities as well as the community at large. Lunch will be available for $3 if pre-registered or on site for $6. Pre-register by calling (863) 680-4440 or e-mailing Bruce at abruce@flsouthern.edu. Symposium information may also be obtained from its web site at www.flsouthern.edu/eng/symposium.htm.

About Florida Southern College
Florida Southern is a four-year, private, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The college offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and a master of business administration degree accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Located in Lakeland, Fla., the college is home to the largest, single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.

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